Politics & Government

Ayotte, Shaheen to Host Roundtables on Heroin Epidemic

Shaheen to speak April 4 at the Salem Police Department.

Both New Hampshire's U.S. senators will be hosting roundtable discussions with law enforcement and public health officials to combat the state's heroin epidemic.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, is scheduled to host a roundtable April 4 at the Salem Police Department.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, will host a roundtable April 23 in Manchester.

An estimated 64 people in New Hampshire died of heroin-related deaths in 2013, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Shaheen is calling on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to address the problem, as well as prescription drug abuses. During a Senate hearing April 3, Shaheen asked Holder for federal help for local law enforcement.

"Fighting this epidemic will require a multifaceted approach that provides more resources and assistance for law enforcement, improves prevention and education efforts and increases our focus on treatment and recovery," Shaheen said in a press release.

Ayotte knows the challenges of curbing illegal drugs. As New Hampshire Attorney General from 2004 to 2009, she led the New Hampshire Drug Task Force and worked to combat drug abuse, drug-trafficking and other drug-related crimes.

"The heroin epidemic in New Hampshire requires urgent action," Ayotte said. "By bringing together local, state, and federal officials, we can help identify solutions that will substantively address this growing crisis and protect New Hampshire families."


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